Former top UFC contender, Corey Anderson recently signed for rival promotion Bellator. The 31-year-old was on the cusp of a title shot before losing to current champion, Jan Blachowicz. Having signed in August, Anderson successfully debuted against Melvin Manhoef, knocking him out in the second round.
Why did Anderson sign for Bellator? There are a few likely reasons. Firstly, he’s most probably on a better deal. Bellator notoriously give out lucrative contracts to fighters (especially those who can’t quite cut it in the UFC). Secondly, the light heavyweight division in the UFC is full of killers and ultimately, Corey Anderson has constantly been the ‘nearly guy’ in the division. On the brink of a title shot after four straight wins, he was brutally finished. It was would be at least two or three wins before he got into the title picture again. Finally, despite some strong competitors, Bellator’s 205lbs division isn’t as stacked as the UFC’s, so he’d be likely closer to a title shot for the alternative promotion… It wasn’t as stacked, until this week…
Bellator have made two massive (quite literally) signings to their light heavyweight division. Former UFC men Anthony Johnson and moving up in weight, Yoel Romero have both signed for the promotion. These signings suggest that Corey Anderson’s road to the title won’t be as straight forwards as he first imagined.
Welcome to the family, @YoelRomeroMMA!
Who should he take on first?! pic.twitter.com/sKbsfuc1dI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 15, 2020
Bellator Light Heavyweight Division
Bellator have fleshed out their light heavyweight division massively. Former PFL competition and M1 Challenge champion, Viktor Nemkov signed for the promotion. He also just happens to be the older brother of current champion, Vadim Nemkov.
Already in the division, we have Karl Albrektsson, Lyoto Machida, Phil Davies and undefeated Christian Edwards and Tyree Fortune. We also, of course, have former ‘champ champ’, Ryan Bader. All of these, not including the champion, Nemkov.
What would this shark tank suggest at 205lbs for Bellator? A Grand Prix tournament. With a number of big hitters, well-known faces and up and coming talent, a tournament makes a lot of sense.
Like we said though, a penny for the thoughts of Corey Anderson. After leaving the shark tank of the UFC 205lbs division, as big a shark tank is beginning to grow around him in Bellator.
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